Holiday Train at 360 Chicago

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Retired Chicago police and engineers have been busy preparing for the holiday season on the 94th floor of the Hancock Building. The result is an eleven-foot tall train display 1,000 feet above Michigan Avenue. Its setting in the Hancock observatory, 360 Chicago, is a new height for the holiday train which ran in the building’s lobby for years before being retired.

I attended the launch of the new Chicago holiday train and interviewed one of its engineers, Dave Pietrowski, for Chicagoist. According to Mr. Pietrowski, the motivation for his many years of service on the train project is, “The smiles on the faces of the children and seniors.”

Running now through January 3, 2016, the holiday train features local landmarks amid an array of lights and animations. There’s even a mini Stanley Cup for Blackhawks fans! During the train’s run, admission for kids is 50% off including a free hot chocolate with a paid adult admission.